In this week’s news wrap Hong Kong customs have seized a record haul of pangolin scales bound for Vietnam; camera-trap technology has captured what is suspected to be the last elephant in Knysna forest; the South Africa parliament has attacked the Kruger agreement with neighbouring private reserves; Uganda seized ivory and pangolin scales worth an estimated $8 million; 20 endangered vultures die of poisoning near the Maasai Mara; thousands of baby flamingos have been rescued in South Africa as drought has put their breeding ground in peril; and a new widow spider species has been discovered – the first in 29 years.
Category Archives: Natural history
Pangolin rescued from poachers in Limpopo
Earlier this February, Welgevonden Game Reserve’s anti-poaching unit received word of a pangolin sale which they intercepted, arresting five suspects and detaining two.
Opinion: Our CEO asks whether the trophy hunting industry could ruin Kruger’s big expansion plan
Our CEO asks whether the trophy hunting industry will bring the Greater Kruger to its knees.
Animals with attitude!
Taking a look at the hippo, rhino and buffalo – animals with attitude!
Parliament attacks Kruger agreement with neighbouring private reserves
The South African Parliament has strongly criticised South African National Parks for signing a formal agreement on 5th December to ratify a long-standing cooperation arrangement between Kruger National Park and several neighbouring private and community game reserves, which together form an area known as “Greater Kruger”.
Dereck Joubert sets the record straight about trophy hunting impact on lions and refutes claims of so-called benefits
An opinion post by Dereck Joubert as he sets the record straight about trophy hunting impact on lions and refutes claims of so-called benefits.
Special airlift for flamingo chicks in peril
A special airlift for thousands of baby flamingos is under way in South Africa as drought has put their breeding ground in peril.
Photoseries: Leopard family makes a splash
Magic happens while on safari when a leopard mother leads her two cubs across two flowing channels of the Sand River to the other side.
First new widow spider species discovered in 29 years
Potentially the largest widow spider in the world has been discovered in the critically endangered sand forest of South Africa.
Video: ‘Super’ ground squirrel takes on Cape cobra
A fantastic sighting as a Cape ground squirrel takes on a Cape cobra in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana.
NEWS WRAP: Six animals electrocuted in Kruger + wildlife trafficking kingpin’s case dismissed
In this week’s news wrap a freak accident in the Kruger National Park has resulted in six animals, including a white rhino and two lions, being electrocuted; a suspected wildlife trafficking kingpin accused of smuggling $1 million worth of rhino horns to Thailand has had the case against him dismissed; two people were arrested at O.R Tambo International Airport after police found R2 million worth of rhino horn hidden in their luggage; and Vietnam customs forces have discovered nearly 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales and 20 elephant tusks hidden inside a container shipped from Nigeria.
Exploring the Jurassic world of Mahé in the Seychelles
Several hours flight due east of mainland Africa a rugged island, covered in towering green mountains and home to wild stretches of coastline, rises from the ocean floor. From afar it looks positively Jurassic, an Eden in every sense of the word. This is Mahé.
Freak accident as rhino, giraffe, lions and hyenas electrocuted in Kruger
A freak accident in the Kruger has resulted in six animals, including a white rhino and two lions, being electrocuted after a pylon collapsed during a heavy storm.
Beach lions again hunting seals and coastal birds in Namibia, after 35 years
Research has revealed that the desert-adapted lions eking out a living on the harsh northwest coast of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park (SCNP) are again specialising in hunting seals and coastal birds such as flamingos and cormorants, after an absence of 35 years.
Latest wildlife watercolours for sale by Art Safari artist
The latest watercolour artworks from our Art Safari artist are now on sale.
Video: Leopard attacks baby honey badger, then mother retaliates
A video captures an exceptionally rare moment in which a leopard attempts to kill a young honey badger.
Warthog facts you need to know
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2019 marks the year of the pig. So what better way to celebrate it than by taking a look at one of Africa’s own wild pig: the warthog!
NEWS WRAP: Hong Kong failing to tackle illegal wildlife trade + elephant poaching numbers down in Tanzania
In this week’s news wrap a new study has revealed that Hong Kong’s illegal wildlife trade is contributing to a global extinction crisis; the Tanzanian government announced that elephant poaching has declined in Tanzania’s national parks; China customs dismantled a major ivory trafficking syndicate after arrests were made; and a new Tanzanian reserve has been declared in order to protect invaluable forest.
African, Asian & forest elephants – what’s the difference?
Did you know that there are three species of elephants? We take a look at the differences between the African, Asian and forest elephant.
Hong Kong failing to tackle illegal wildlife trade – study
New study sheds light on illegal wildlife trade in Hong Kong – a high volume and lucrative black market business.
Video: Third arrest made as China customs dismantle major ivory trafficking syndicate
Chinese authorities have nabbed all three identified members of a major ivory trafficking syndicate first exposed by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in 2017.
Inspiring conservation win for the painted wolves of Luangwa Valley
Recent painted wolf conservation success in the Luangwa Valley has it estimated to now have the largest population of painted wolves in the whole of Zambia.
Turtles being ‘feminised’ by climate change, say scientists
Up to 93% of green turtle hatchlings could be female by 2100, as climate change causes “feminisation” of the species, new research suggests.
Travel: February safari in Africa
Interested in going on an African safari in February? Then have a look at our recommendations for the best wildlife-viewing destinations for that month.
2 Countries want changes to white rhino CITES listings, to permit trade
Proposed changes in CITES have been released, with Namibia proposing to downlist its population of white rhinos to Appendix II, to allow only international commercial trade in live animals and hunting trophies, and Eswatini seeks to allow unrestricted international commercial trade in all specimens of its white rhino population, which is currently included in Appendix II.
Africa is divided over ivory trade ahead of wildlife meeting
Several African countries with some of the world’s largest elephant populations will push this year for looser controls on legal ivory trade, while another group of countries on the continent says more restrictions are the best way to curb the illegal killing of elephants for their tusks.
World’s rarest duck released back into the wild
A duck thought to be extinct for 15 years has been brought back from the brink and given a new home on a remote lake in Madagascar.
5 Reasons Zambia is perfect for active travellers
Zambia offers an array of activities for those seeking adventure and new experiences. Here are 5 reasons why this country is perfect for active travellers.
The African Lion
“There are few sounds as evocative and exhilarating as a lion roaring his challenge into the African night; triggering in us all a primordial reaction of fear and awe. Lions are essential players in Africa’s wild spaces, ruthlessly executing the role of an apex predator and so helping maintain biodiversity and ecosystems, which change fundamentally […]
Understanding lion infanticide
Lion infanticide: A look into why lions kills their the offspring of their own species.
Brutal: Crocodile rips out zebra’s guts during Mara River crossing
WARNING: Contains distressing images, not for sensitive viewers. A zebra receives fatal injuries after a crocodile attack in the Mara River.
Opinion: Ecologist responds to Guardian newspaper article against trophy hunting
Campaign against trophy hunting – a western urban cultural imposition on rights of rural African communities: arrogant cultural superiority or ignorance?
The winners of our Best Video Clip 2018 competition
Announcing the winners of our Best Video Clip 2018 competition! Take a look to see who has won the $500 prizes!
Our top ‘good news’ stories for 2018
Read our top African wildlife ‘good news’ stories for 2018.
Nose-to-nose with one big cat!
A photographer and her husband receive a surprise up-close encounter with a young male lion in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Our 7 top wildlife news stories for 2018
Read our 7 most popular wildlife news stories from 2018.
Penguins: What’s being done and how you can help
Cape Town is synonymous with many things, like Table Mountain, picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches, and of course our iconic African penguin.
Opinion: Why trophy hunting is counter-productive as a ‘conservation tool’
Trophy hunters target the largest or rarest animals they can find – or those with the biggest horns, tusks or manes. Yet both science and common sense tells us that that goes against nature’s law of survival of the fittest.
9 Reasons why Zambia’s Liuwa Plain is a prime destination for photographers
Zambia’s Liuwa Plain is a photographer’s ultimate dream destination, and here are 9 reasons why.
Top 6 video clips of 2018
Our Best Video Clip 2018 Top 6 list is out! Take a look to see who stands a chance of winning our $500 prize!
Graphic video: Hippo commits infanticide
Dominant male hippos can engage in brutal fights to defend their territory, and can even commit infanticide to secure their dominance over the pod.
Fantastic sighting: Leopard’s heavy load snaps branch
South Luangwa in Zambia provides an unbelievable sighting of a leopard attempting to carry her kill up a tree, with not much success.
Adorable sighting: Bat-eared fox kits
An adorable sighting of bat-eared fox kits adds to the magic of a safari in Ruaha National Park in Tanzania.
Somaliland wildlife medicine and husbandry: new partnership announced
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) has announced a new international partnership between European and African institutions to enhance Somaliland’s ability to treat and care for confiscated wildlife.
A great year for wildlife in Maputo Special Reserve
In a conservation success story, more than 4,200 animals have been translocated to Maputo Special Reserve since 2013 through a multi-year rewilding project led by Peace Parks Foundation.
SA adventurer returns after 50-day all-women conservation expedition
50 days, four countries and 11,235 km later, South Africa humanitarian and eco-warrior, Carla Geyser, has returned home having led a successful international all-women conservation expedition into Southern Africa.
A visual celebration of Namibia’s grand wilderness
Celebrating Namibia’s wild beauty through stunning wildlife and landscape photos.
4 Elephants die as mercy mission goes wrong during heatwave
Tragedy as four elephant bulls that were causing havoc in the Gravelotte area in Limpopo die during relocation attempt.
Pangolins – The Most Trafficked Mammal on Earth
Pangolins are the most mystical and bewitching creatures. Being the only mammals covered in hard keratinous overlapping scales, these rare animals have only been sighted in their natural habitat by the very fortunate few – often a fleeting glimpse at dawn or dusk, but a sighting and an experience of a lifetime. Being shy, predominantly […]
Saving trafficked pangolins, one release at a time
A story about releasing trafficked pangolins back into the wild, thanks to a dedicated team of people fighting to ensure the survival of these threatened creatures.
Top 10 video clips of 2018
Our Best Video Clip 2018 Top 10 list is out! Take a look to see who stands a chance of winning our $500 prize!
Elephant experts respond regarding proposed citrus farm on Kruger border
Elephants Alive has released a comprehensive report regarding the proposed 120ha citrus farm development on the border of the Greater Kruger National Park.
Death of Tait: The end of a legend
In the BBC’s Dynasties documentary we meet an incredible painted wolf: Tait. Here is an account of her final days as the alpha female by photographer Nicholas Dyer.
Travel: January safari in Africa
Interested in going on an African safari in January? Then have a look at our recommendations for the best wildlife-viewing destinations for that month.
The mystery of the demonic shrieks of Musoma Hill
A story about the mysterious, shrieking creatures of Musoma Hill in Tanzania.
NEWS WRAP: Famous super tusker rescued + 2.8 tonnes of pangolin scales torched
In this week’s news wrap the famous super tusker elephant, Tim, was rescued from certain death; Malaysia torched 2.8 tonnes of African pangolin scales; the Kruger National Park 10-year management plan was approved by acting Environmental Affairs Minister; the lion bone quota was reduced to 800 skeletons from 1,500; an American woman was attacked by a hippo after her canoe capsized on the Zambezi River; an anthrax outbreak in Mana Pools in Zimbabwe has killed 100 impala; and eight West African giraffe have been reintroduced to Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve in Niger after a 50-year absence.
Malaysia torches 2.8 tonnes of African pangolin scales
Malaysia on Thursday torched nearly three tonnes of seized scales of endangered pangolins worth $9 million in a bid to deter illegal wildlife trafficking from Africa.
The Cheetah
“A cheetah in full flight is one of Africa’s most breathtaking sights – that blindingly rapid and yet sublimely smooth acceleration and the ability to swerve at full speed take one’s breath away. And, with a hunting success rate above 50%, cheetahs are amongst the most successful of Africa’s large carnivores when it comes to […]
Animal advocacy course – raising awareness through effective campaigning
Join Chris Mercer from Campaign Against Canned Hunting for a week-long course on Animal Advocacy.
West African giraffe return to Gadabedji after 50 years of absence
Eight West African giraffe travelled over 800 kilometres in 48 hours to be safely re-introduced to the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve in Niger, after an absence of almost 50 years.
